WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF...
13
WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA SUBBASIN Publication 190 October 1997 Carrie L. Trover Water Quality &Monitoring Programs Division Susquehanna River Basin Commission mis report is prepared in cooperation with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Watershed Conservation, under Contract ME95733.
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Transcript of WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF...
WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICALASSESSMENT OF THE
LOWER SUSQUEHANNA SUBBASIN
Publication 190 October 1997
Carrie L. Trover
Water Quality & Monitoring Programs DivisionSusquehanna River Basin Commission
mis report is prepared in cooperation with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionBureau of Watershed Conservation, under Contract ME95733.
• Reference Category 67b Sample Sitesm Susquehamu River/\/ Stream
MunicipalityJOB Outside of Basin
| | Study Area| | Susquehanna Drainage
Outside of Study Area
SWAT 39.0 •
Figure 20. Map of 'Reference Category 67b Sample SStes
• Reference Category 67L Sample Sitesmi Susquefaanna River/\/Stream
MunicipalityOutside of BasinStudy AreaSusquefaanna DrainageOutside of Study Area
Figure 28. Mop of 'Reference Category 67L Sample Sites
».-.^t- -V*. , ~A
Table 17. Summary of Reference Category 67b RBP UI Biological Data—Continued
law Data SummaryNumber of IndividualsPercent ShreddersPercent Collector-GatherersPercent Filterer-CollectorsPercent ScrapersPercent PredatorsNumber of EPT TaxaNumber of EPT Individuals
NMHT0.0
2146.5
40.229.420.6
3.311
105
NMID0.7
1171.7
44.424.820.5
8.57
37
PAXT8.4
10215.724.56.9
52.90.05
19
POWL0.1
1440.0
41.047.9
6.94.28
127Marie Scores
Taxonomic RichnessDiversity IndexHilsenhoff Biotic IndexEPT IndexTaxonomic Similarity (%)Trophic Similarity (%)
203.565.1011
33.361.0
182.965.32
734.361.6
112.645.37
522.249.1
152.424.77
810.854.2
QUIT0.3
SWAT39.0
SWAT56.0
10060.02.0
16.019.03.02
13
1120.08.9
77.79.83.69
102
402.5
30.02.5
12.552.5
33
132.435.53
214.840.9
Percent of ReferenceTaxonomic Richness
• Diversity IndexHilsenhoff Biotic IndexEPT Index'Taxonomic Similarity (%)Trophic Similarity (%)
83.395.774.4
122.233.361.0
75.079.671.277.834.361.6
45.871.070.655.622.249.1
62.565.179.588.910.854.2
54.265.368.622.214.840.9
152.684.36
932.556.5
81.895.90
321.844.3
62.572.087.1
100.032.556.5
33.350.864.333.321.844.3
Biological Condition ScoresTaxonomic RichnessDiversity IndexHilsenhoff Biotic IndexEPT IndexTaxonomic Similarity (%)Trophic Similarity (%)
664644
464244
244022
444404
242002
446624
042022
Total Biological ScoreTotal Biological ScoreBiological % of Reference
30S3--
2467
14i 39
2056
1028
2672
1028
50
Table 20. Summary of Reference Category 67L RBP HI Habitat Data
Primary Parameters
Bottom SubstrateEmbeddednessVelocity/Depth Diversity
Secondary Parameters
Pool/Riffle RatioPool QualityRiffle/Run QualityChannel Alteration
PENN30.0
181419
CONO1.3
CONO28.8
CONO51.8
698
8129
151117
CONO66.0
EMAH0.2
121218
14141413
j9
1112
49
1110
612128
Tertiary ParametersStreambank ErosionStreambank StabilityStreamside Vegetative CoverRiparian Buffer Zone
7787
3
772
5863
7764
Total Habitat Score
Total Habitat ScoreHabitat % of Reference
135100
7959
8563
10578
9129
13
161418
MHNY0.3
MIDL0.7
181118
101116
13141111
5974
8995
14131313
9127
12
9984
8898
11081
12895
13096
11081
PENN5.0
SHAM2.7
SHRM2.0
SHRM27.5
SWAT21.7
W1CO0.3
YLBR3.4
YLBR35.7
Primary ParametersBottom SubstrateEmbeddednessVelocity/Depth Diversity
181518
47
16Secondary Parameters
Pool/Riffle RatioPool QualityRiffle/Run QualityChannel Alteration
11121312
11146
12
141718
10111313
161414
11131312
141312
131718
109
18
88
17.
8121110
12131311
11101312
13111210
Tertiary Parameters
Streambank ErosionStreambank StabilityStreamside Vegetative CoverRiparian Buffer Zone
9984
889D
7964
7946
7884
7984
79 -85
8995
Total Habitat Score
Total Habitat ScoreHabitat % of Reference
12996
10074
12290
11988
10779
12593
112 '83
11081
61
V
t
Downstream at Jonestown, preceding theconfluence with Little Swatara Creek(SWAT 39.0). conditions noticeably improve.Biological impairment is slight with a drop inpollution tolerance and an increase to 15 genera.Amounts of metals such as iron and manganese arestill considerable, but are less than half theconcentrations found at SWAT 56.0. Habitat isexcellent.
Little Swatara Creek at LSWT 0.6 has poorwater quality and a moderately impaired biologicalcommunity slightly better than that found atSWAT 56.0. In addition to a high metal load,nutrients also are present in relatively highconcentrations.
iAt the confluence with Quittapahilla Creek at
SWAT 21.7, water quality of Swatara Creekapproaches the mean for the reference area, andhabitat is supporting. High water conditionsprevented the collection of invertebrates.
^Quittapahilla Creek shows moderate impairment atQUIT 0.3, with 52 percent of the organisms in thesample identified as Amphipoda. Biologicalmetrics are comparable to SWAT 56.0. Asubstantial load of dissolved residuals, totalnitrogen, dissolved nitrate, dissolved phosphorus,iron, and levels of ions and minerals are revealedby water quality analysis. Habitat conditions aresupporting; scores for streambank erosion andpool/riffle ratio are low. Agricultural activitysurrounds the site. In addition, the AnnvilleMunicipal Authority and the Lebanon STP arepermitted facilities along Quittapahilla Creek.
Manada Creek flows south toward Hershey.The stream does not continue into the town, butinstead enters Swatara Creek near Sand Beach.Biological conditions are slightly impaired at siteMNDA 0.1. The EPT index is low, but each EPTtaxa present has a low organic pollution tolerancevalue, as does Macronychus (Coleoptera:Elmidae/ which also is present. Therefore, theHilsenhoff index value remains low. Habitat issupporting, and water quality is fair, with very lowtotal and dissolved iron concentrations.
Spring Creek flows across the northern fringeof Hershey. Although water quality is close to themean for 67a central streams and habitat isexcellent, Spring Creek is moderately impaired atits mouth (SPRG 0.1). Stenelmis compose nearly70 percent of the macroinvertebrates, resulting inlow diversity, a low EPT index, and considerabledissimilarity to the reference site. Like other 67astreams, Spring Creek is heavily influenced bylimestone.
Beaver Creek meets Swatara Creek nearHummelstown. For reference category 67a,Beaver Creek at BEAV 0.6 has low alkalinity, lowcalcium, and high nickel concentrations.Biological conditions are slightly impaired.Habitat is supporting, but has the lowest scores forchannel alteration and embeddedness in thereference category. The biotic index is closest tothat of the reference site, but its low EPT index istypical of sites in reference category 67a, and itslow taxonomic and trophic similarity to thereference is common for 67a central sectionstreams.
Several miles above the mouth of SwataraCreek at SWAT 2.3. recovery appears to becomplete, as demonstrated by nonimpaired biotawith the highest diversity in reference category64L. Water quality is near the mean, althoughammonia levels are elevated somewhat Overall,high levels of ammonia and nutrients indicate thata large part of the Swatara Creek Watershed isprobably impacted by sources other than AMDsuch as fertilizer runoff and sewage. Numerouspermitted discharges are located on Swatara Creekand its tributaries.
East Conewaqo Creek
One site is located on East Conewago Creek(ECON 0.0) in reference category 64ac. EastConewago enters the Susquehanna River belowFredric Lake at Falmouth. Biological conditions
• are slightly impaired, as demonstrated by a lowEPT index and relatively high Hilsenhoff indexvalue. The impairment seems to result from poorwater quality related to agricultural activity. Forits reference category, ECON 0.0 has high values
79
Order
eoi ci?
•~~
•"•""' '
*-
•"~
-""""
Djptera
Ephemeroptera
Mcgaloptcra
HemipteraOdonata
Family
Imidae
jvrimdaeHydrophilidae
sephenidae
AthericidaeChironomidaeDixidae
mpididaeimuliidae
TabanidaeTipulidae
Baetidae
Caenidae
Ephemerellidae
Ephemeridae
Heptageniidae
IsonvchiidaeLeptophlebiidae
PolymitarcidaePotamanthidaeSiphlonuridae
Tricorythidae
Corvdalidae
SialidaeSisyridae
VeliidaeCoenagrionidae
Genus
ncyronyxubiraohia
facrorrychusiicrocylloepiuotioservus
Ordobreviatenelmis
Dineutiserosus
Hydrobiussephenus
Eclopriatherix
ffemerodromia
TabanusAntochaHexalomaLimoniaTipulaBaetisCenrroptilumPseudocloeonBrachycercusCaenisDrunellaEphemerellaSerratellaEphemeraHexageniaEpeonisHeptageniaLeucrocutaStenacronStenonemahonychiaLeptophlebiaParaleptophlebiaEphoronAnthopotamusParameletusSiphlonunts
LeptohyphesTricorythodesCorydalush'igronia
SialisSisyra
Rhagovelia
ArgtaNehalenma
FOWL 0.167b
2
1
1g1
3
49
25
QUIT 0.367b
5
14
1
12
1
1
SWAT 39.067b
22
2
1
8
168
12
SWAT 56.067b
21
1
12
21
1
WMHT2.267b
227
27
4
7
1
2
2
2
119
41
1
129
Order
C
Plecoptera ((I11)
Trichoptera
r
Amphipoda
IsopodaDecapoda
Gastropoda
Pelecypoda
HydracarinaGnathobdellidaHaplotaxida
GordioidaRhynchobdellidaTricladida
FamilyJomphidac /
(.}
-apniidae /:hloroperlidae /<-euctridae j\femouridae /3eltoperlidae J'erlidae /
/i
3erlodidaerteronarcyidaeTaeniopterygidaeBracbycenlridae
GlossomatidaeHydropsychidae
-eptoceridaePhilopotamidae
Polycentropodidae
PsychomyiidaeRhyacophilidaeGammaridaeTalilridaeAsellidaeCambaridae
AncylidaeLymnaeidaePhysidae
PlanorbidaeCorbiculidaeSphaeriidae
HirudinidaeNaididaeTubificidaeLumbriculidaeGordiidaeGlossiphoniidaePlanariidae
Genus
rigomphus
romphustylogomphus'aracapnia.lloperla.euclraImphinemura^elloperlaIcroneuriaignetinaZccopniraVeoperla°aragnetinaperlestaCultusyleronarcysStrophopteryxBrachycentrusMicrasemaGlossosomaCeratopsycheCheumatopsycheHydropsycheMacTosiemum°olamyia
MystacidesChimarraDolophilodesNeureclipsisNyctiophylax
PolycentropustypeRhyacophilaGammantsHyalellaCaecidoteaCambarus ~OrconectesProcambarusFerrissiaLymnaeaPhysaVivipamsGyraulusCorbiculaPsidium
HelobdellaNias
Rhynchelmis
GordiusBatracobdellaDugesia
POWL 0.167b
2
12
57
9
1
QUIT 0.367b
4
9
52
7
1
2
SWAT 39.067b
1
32422
2
SWAT 56.067b
1
1
WMHT2.267b
71
141
3
1
1
5
1
130
ParameterSymbol
KGDateTimeTemp
pHDOCondAlkAcid^ab cond
LabpHLab AlkDResT ResTNDNDNH3TNII3DN02TNO2DNO3TNO3TPDPTOCHardCaMgNoC
ClSO4
!Cu
ParameterName
Reference CategoryDateTimeWater Temperature
pH (field)Dissolved OxygenConductivity (field)Alkalinity (field)AciditySpecific ConductivitypH (lab)Alkalinity (as CaCO3)Dissolved ResidualsTotal Residuals
Total Nitrogendissolved NitrogenDissolved AmmoniaTotal AmmoniaDissolved NitriteTotal NitriteDissolved Nitrate'otal Nitrate
Total PhosphorusDissolved Phosphorus
Total Organic CarbonTotal Hardness (CaCO3)Total CalciumMagnesium
odiumotassiumblondeotal Sulfateluorideopper
Units
yymmddhhmm
°CS.U.mg/L
u ohms/cmmg/Lmg/L
u ohms/cmmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/LHg/L
POWL0.1
67b960715
120021.16.68.59
64104
686.6
10.452
6«1.441.440.020.040.0040.0041H21.120.020.0073.8
19.93.992.133.211.2757.20.24
QUIT0.3
67b960722
85016.87.418.43
55319216
5677.7
182472
28.458.450.030.030.010.017.257.250.060.0331.8
21080.114.711.44.85
2350.10.2 -
4.7
SWAT39.0
671)960718
143021.96.78.69
109105
1556.1
11.29222.522.520.020.030.0140.0142.322.320.020.0082
327.334.075.191.276
22.90.24
SWAT56.0
67b960718
115019.86.758.82
270106
2096.17.4
17820.820.70.110.150.0040.0040.40.40.020.0022.3
65139.229.071.578
67.80.24 '
WMHT2.2
67b960716
141523.2
8.158.6
193702
1998
62184
52.352.260.020.020.010.011.881.880.030.023.4
73.525.8
5.453.942.786
18.20.24
CLRK3.8
67cd960715
134020.1
6.658.86
35106
376.57.2
2020.290.290.020.020.0040.0040.180.180.020.0042
102.870.871.610.66135.30.24
DEEP1.2
67cd960710
150021.1
7.058.37
84166
886.3
13116
61.991.910.020.040.0060.0081.751.75
0.0083
277.22.042.951.275
10.60.24.7
EPIN0.1
67cd960710
120020.578.05
145144
1516.2
15174
21.551.50.020.050.0060.0081.331.33
0.0063.3
54.913.35.743.421.456
35.80.24
EPIN12.767cd
9607! 01 33017.678.75
275126
2826.2
11.4278
20.730.730.060.060.0040.0040.570.57
0.0051.5
120.331.616.13.351.384
1100.24
ParameterSymbol
TFeDFePbTMnDMnNiZnTA1DAI
ParameterName
Total IronDissolved IronLeadTotal ManganeseDissolved ManganeseNickelZincTotal AluminumDissolved A l u m i n u m
UnitsI'6/Lug/Lug/LMg/LHB/L»6/LHB/Ljig/L|ig/L
POWL0.1
23988
I211045
15028.9
QUIT0.3
400151.7
251049.8
12715.5
SWAT39.0
32516
1135105
6.616.7
15913.1
SWAT56.0
72335•1
67139528.257.4
41716
WMHT2.2
32832
1171045
18915.9
CLRK3.8
12251
1121045
55.416.1
DEEP1.2
43732
1. 128284
ll.982.426.4
EPIN0.1
618513.5
5747
48.3
59825.3
EPIN12.7
30236
I302265
5.76.7
1 4733.4
ParameterSymbol
RCDaleTimeTemppHDOCondAlkAcid.ab cond
LabpHLab AlkDResT ResTNDNDNH3TNI 13DN02TNO2DN03TNO3TPDPTOCHardCaMgNaC
ClSO4FlCu
ParameterName
Reference CategoryDateTimeWater TemperaturepH (field)Dissolved OxygenConductivity (field)Alkalinity (field)AciditySpecific Conductivitypli (lab)Alkalinity (as CaCO3)Dissolved ResidualsTotal ResidualsTotal NitrogenDissolved NitrogenDissolved AmmoniiiTola! AmmoniaDissolved NitriteTotal Nitrite)issolved Nilr;ile
Total NitrateTotal Phosphorus
Dissolved PhosphorusTotal Organic CarbonTotal Hardness (CaCO3)Total CalciumMagnesiumSodiumPotassiumChlorideTotal Sul fate
luorideopper
Units
yymmddhhmm
°CS.U.mg/L
u ohms/cmmg/Lmg/L
u olims/cmmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/Lmg/LMg/L
PENN5.067L
960709120024.67.957.56
220962
2288.1
88126 .
21.441.290.020.050.008O.OL21.181.18
0.0222.8
89.436.55.43.11.335
13.30.24
PENN30.067L
9607081540
_ 24-68.85
11.01204
960
2148.9
86
51.321.260.020.020.0080.0081.131.13
0.0162.2
79.335.3
5.012.961.115
11.70.24
SHAM2.767L
960709164023.24.257.27
5180
18525
4.30
39481.731.671.011.010.0080.0080.580.61
0.0041.1
241.744.133
8.942.79
10228
0.25.9
SHRM2.067L
9607161235238.359.6
166700
1708.1
60162
61.51.440.020.040.0080.0121.181.180.020.0063.1
64.223.94.312.81.785
11.40.24
SHRM27.567L
9607161105227.87.24
214864
2197.5
82186
22.322.230.020.070.0160.0181.831.870.020.0112.3
82.232.96.12.271.815
14.20.24
SWAT21.767L
96072490019.37.417.61
1895612
1896.8
40178
123.173.170.020.050.0060.0143.033.160.040.0132.4
65195.487.492.22
1020.70.24
WICO0.367L
96071895021.47.158.41
150- 20
4149
6.317.2
13021.581.520.020.020.0040.0041.281.280.040.0122.7
4313.15.365.971.798
29.60.24
YLBR3.467L
960722140519.77.757.94
280110
6286
6.7104198
102.432.380.020.040.0080.0082.192.190.040.0223
10135.19.77.212.46
1214.70.24
YLBR35.767L
960722104017.27.68.21
224102
4227
6.996
16021.851.820.020.020.0120.0141.711.710.040.0181.5
9129.610.72.322.1448.60.24
ParameterSymbol
TFeDFePbTMnDMnNiZnTA1DAI
ParameterName
Total IronDissolved IronLeadTotal ManganeseDissolved ManganeseNickelZincTotal AluminumDissolved Aluminum
Units
"g/LUg/LUg/Lug/Lug/Lug/Lug/L"g/LMg/L
PENN5.0
32036
1201045
11616.9
PENN30.0
11822
1 -101045
82.817.8
SHAM2.7
3,030467
2.129102480
94.9157854466
SHRM2.0
52148
126 •1045
27722.1
SHRM27.6
64830
1915945
20215.5
SWAT21.7
430• 67
I7648
46.2
16417.3
WICO0.3
632. 71
183464.38.1
19812.6
YLBR3.4
66640
1341045.6
15919.6
YLBR35.7
31637
1221045
10517.5
Downstream at Jonestown, preceding theconfluence with Little Swatara Creek(SWAT 39.0), conditions noticeably improve.Biological impairment is slight, with a drop inpollution tolerance and an increase to 15 genera.Amounts of metals such as iron and manganese arestill considerable, but are less than half theconcentrations found at SWAT 56.0. Habitat isexcellent.
Little Swatara Creek at LSWT 0.6 has poorwater quality and a moderately impaired biologicalcommunity slightly better than that found atSWAT 56.0. In addition to a high metal load,nutrients also are present in relatively highconcentrations.
At the confluence with Quittapahilla Creek atSWAT 21.7, water quality of Swatara Creekapproaches the mean for the reference area, andhabitat is supporting. High water conditionsprevented the collection of invertebrates.
4 Quittapahilla Creek shows moderate impairment at~lQUIT 0.3, with 52 percent of the organisms in thesample identified as Amphipoda. Biologicalmetrics are comparable to SWAT 56.0. Asubstantial load of dissolved residuals, totalnitrogen, dissolved nitrate, dissolved phosphorus,iron, and levels of ions and minerals are revealedby water quality analysis. Habitat conditions aresupporting; scores for streambank erosion andpool/riffle ratio are low. Agricultural activitysurrounds the site. In addition, the AnnvilleMunicipal Authority and the Lebanon STP arepermitted facilities along Quittapahilla Creek.
Manada Creek flows south toward Hershey.The stream does not continue into the town, butinstead enters Swatara Creek near Sand Beach.Biological conditions are slightly impaired at siteMNDA 0.1. The EPT index is low, but each EPTtaxa present has a low organic pollution tolerancevalue, as does Macronychus (Coleoptera:Elmidae/ which also is present. Therefore, theHilsenhoff index value remains low. Habitat issupporting, and water quality is fair, with very lowtotal and dissolved iron concentrations.
Spring Creek flows across the northern fringeof Hershey. Although water quality is close to themean for 67a central streams and habitat isexcellent, Spring Creek is moderately impaired atits mouth (SPRG 0.1). Stenelmis compose nearly70 percent of the macroinvertebrates, resulting inlow diversity, a low EPT index, and considerabledissimilarity to the reference site. Like other 67astreams, Spring Creek is heavily influenced bylimestone.
Beaver Creek meets Swatara Creek nearHummelstown. For reference category 67a,Beaver Creek at BEAV 0.6 has low alkalinity, lowcalcium, and high nickel concentrations.Biological conditions are slightly impaired.Habitat is supporting, but has the lowest scores forchannel alteration and embeddedness in thereference category. The biotic index is closest tothat of the reference site, but its low EPT index istypical of sites in reference category 67a, and itslow taxonomic and trophic similarity to thereference is common for 67a central sectionstreams.
Several miles above the mouth of SwataraCreek at SWAT 2.3. recovery appears to becomplete, as demonstrated by nonimpaired biotawith the highest diversity in reference category64L. Water quality is near the mean, althoughammonia levels are elevated somewhat. Overall,high levels of ammonia and nutrients indicate thata large part of the Swatara Creek Watershed isprobably impacted by sources other than AMDsuch as fertilizer runoff and sewage. Numerouspermitted discharges are located on Swatara Creekand its tributaries.
East Conewaqo Creek
One site is located on East Conewago Creek(ECON 0.0) in reference category 64ac. EastConewago enters the Susquehanna River belowFredric Lake at Falmouth. Biological conditionsare slightly impaired, as demonstrated by a lowEPT index and relatively high Hilsenhoff indexvalue. The impairment seems to result from poorwater quality related to agricultural activity. Forits reference category, ECON 0.0 has high values
79
